"Obviously he can die," I frown, shaking my head. "I just meant... have you ever taken a life before? It's murder, 'Bee... I mean, I know our laws aren't like they are in the old books and all that, and it happens all the time. But that doesn't change how heavily something like this weighs on the heart.

I can't help feeling saddened as I reach over to squeeze her hand lightly. "I'm not trying to talk you out of it or anything. I just... worry. It hurts that you've been hurt enough that something like this is an easier cross to bear. I want you to find your peace, but I also hope you're sure about this before you do it."

Sighing, I nod as I remove my hand and swirl my wind around in the glass.

"Well, I'm just planning on robbing his friend," I say lamely. "And possibly giving him a good scare. You know, for good measure. But now I think I might be better served being a little more blunt in my approach, since we're going to leave one of the Gatz boys dead at the same time... frankly, it might be a good idea to get rid of all of them so they can't go back to his family as witnesses. People die out in the wastelands all the time, they'll never trace it back to us. But if we both have our revenge, they'll know it was me, and then they'll find you by extension."

"There were two aside from Gatz," I sigh, my elbow resting on the arm of the couch as I run my fingers through my hair. "The world wouldn't miss them, honestly, but this is... daunting. I mean his friend was rough with me and took half my merchandise when he caught me alone, but I don't know that he was rough enough to deserve a death sentence."

"You said it yourself, things happen all the time. No one will miss them, Marn. No one." I respond, staring down at the wine as I swirl it in my glass. "You could stop this guy before they hurt someone like Maja. Like me."

"Yeah," I respond, frowning softly as I rest my head in my hand. "What's three less predators in the world going to hurt? We just have to be smart and safe about this. If anything goes wrong, we could be dropping the wrath of Soltera on our heads."

"I'm coming," I say firmly. "I'd already resolved myself to being there for you when I realized who he was. And I won't lie... there's a part of me that wants to see this through. If not for your sake, then for my own. I was helpless when his buddy came after me, Lju. I was sick from eating something bad, drunk off my ass, and when he hit me, my ears were ringing so bad I truly felt blind for the first time in my life. I want him to feel that kind of helpless fear and not be able to defend himself."

With that, I grab my glass of wine and down the remaining liquid, setting the glass off on the counter as I head into the bathroom. Door open behind me, I set to work cutting on the shower, the pipes rattling and sputtering into life. It'll take several minutes before the water is bearable, so I head back out towards my bed to start sorting out my sleep clothes.

"Yeah," I respond a little bitterly as I finish off my wine. "And I had to keep traveling with him for days afterwards. Couldn't say a word to anyone because they weren't the only ones looking at me like a nice juicy steak. Saying anything would have just put me and the few friends I did have with me in unnecessary danger. Frankly, I'm amazed he left me what he did. He KNEW I wouldn't say anything."

"Aw, you really know how to spoil a girl," I respond, smiling cheekily at her as I bat my eyelashes her way. "Thank you," I respond a little more seriously. "I'd like to have a whack at it first, though, if you don't mind. I already have a few thoughts on how I want to blind him."

"That's one option, yes," I nod. "That and some very sharp sticks were my first thoughts. But those are almost not good enough. They're painful, they detract from the trauma of sightlessness in its own right.

"Honestly?" I ask, my voice dropping ever so slightly. "I want to poison them. All of them. There's a flower that grows to the south of here near the ruins of the Still Moores. It was mutated by the magic there, and it blinds anyone who so much as brushes against it. And it works slowly, until you start to get afraid, and your heart starts to beat faster and faster. And then there's nothing but darkness and fear, and there's not a damn thing you can do about it."

"One of the benefits of being blind," I chuckle, refilling his glass before setting the bottle aside.

"Laurel has my spare blankets," I say off handedly, "Heats gone out in her apartment. The radiator works here, though. If you need more blankets, you're welcome to step up and see her. I'm sure she'd be happy to know you're back."